Little Pigs Little Pigs Let me in...

Taken from a Batik Market in Bali

En Xi's favourite bedtime story for the moment is "Three Little Pigs". Sometimes, when she is in the mood, she will even read together with me, but of course, she can only say "Little Pig, Little Pig, Let me in" or "Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin". I guess these two phrases are her favourite parts. In fact, we think that you are having one of those "talking outburst" many parents told me about. Its funny, how sometimes she speaks, but then again, every parent feels the same for their kid. Here's one of the those moments when my parents came back from Korea:

(Knocking at Grandparent's Room)

En Xi: Ah Ma! Ah Ma!

(Grandpa opens the door)

Grandpa: Yes, En Xi?

En Xi: Are you tired?

Grandpa: Ha ha, yes, very tired.

En Xi: Ah Ma Sleeping?

Grandpa: Yes, she is.

Her favourite impromptu phrase includes, "Mmmm, I think, Ah Pink!" when she see's her favourite colour pink. When she is playing and drops something that she associates with feelings, she will go, "Are you ok?" And let's not forget her favourite phrase, "Dun want dun want, Bu Yao Bu Yao".

Inverted shades for the flat nosed one

It has been 2 weeks since En Xi went school. Not because of illness, but rather, we went for yet another trip. This time to Bali, its been 8 years since Rei and myself stepped foot on Bali. In fact, back then, that was our first trip together. As always, it was a blasting time for En Xi, not so for Rei, but not too bad for me. We kind of think En Xi is a born swimmer, because she is never afraid of the water. Despite being submerged in water and gulping pool water for 2 sec or so, En Xi still gets her head up with a big smile on her face. After the trip, it was a week of school term break, while Rei and I get back to work. We knew that keeping En Xi entertained while she is at home all day will prove to be a challenge. Hence, we bought quite a number of books and toys for her. Not only that she was painting for almost every other day. There's also this fascination about bubbles and spraying water onto herself that she finds funny. These days, kids really have all the fun, at times I wonder if we spoilt En Xi too much, the Bali trip was to be the sixth trip for her and her fourth time on board a plane.

En Xi is still quite a bully, impatient and at times very irritating.

En Xi's tendency to bully kids younger than her is something we can't quite understand. Today she went onto her biting rage again when her cousin, Julian was trying to sit on a rocker that she was just done playing. So "Pai Seh" for both of us, but more worrying is this continual trend. Since she started holding onto a pencil/pen, she never like us to help her hold the pencil to write or draw.

En Xi's impatience can be best observed when she's trying to fit things into fillings that are obviously too small. Things such as trying to fit her Hello Kitty umbrella into her little Dora handbag or trying to fit the hardcover books into the same bag. Then, she starts going into those mini foot stomping, followed by flinging herself backwards onto the sofa while wailing at the same time.

2 recent episodes demonstrate En Xi's potential to be a very irritating person. Episode 1: En Xi didn't want to sit in her car seat and despite all attempts to get her own way, she was strapped up tight in the car seat. Unhappy with the treatment she received, she pout her lips and crossed her arms, while using her right leg to hit Rei's leg repeatedly. Episode 2: En Xi was lying down face up and watching Dora on my iPod Touch while I was cleaning her up after she pooped. Maybe she felt the strain on her arms and she proceeded to reach for my hands to hold the iPod for her.

Tackling the Problem

The above painting is your masterpiece, titled "Lady" and it cost Mummy $25 to bring it home from the School's event, "Art Feast". Apart from paying the exorbitant school fees, now we have the privilege of being 's**kers' to actually pay for what you drew in school in order to bring it home. Of course, it was our choice to buy it or not, but then again, no parents would want to miss this milestone for their child, wouldn't they? In case you are wondering, you drew on a much larger paper and had the teachers to guide you or the paper. Nonetheless, its still quite artsy.

Anyway, after Daddy's complaints in the earlier postings, something disturbing happening in school of late. Your teacher called and told Mummy that you actually bit 2 of your friends in school. Now, this truly came as a shock. Even though you are at times (mostly) a tough kid to handle, I had yet to witness you being a bully. After the traumatising experience that day, you came home and was particularly moody. You were being rude again and Mummy was putting you in place before you sat down and bit yourself in the arm. This aren't any good and there can only be 2 reasons why you did that, (1) you did not know how to express your unhappiness and resort to self harm or (2) your teacher asked you to bite yourself to see if its painful when the other 2 victim friends cried. Daddy thinks its the former reason. The teacher even went on and on and suggested (by the book) that you may suffer from mild autistic as she noticed you had troubles concentrating and taking simple instructions. This caused Mummy to suffer a mild depression for a day, but Daddy just think that the teacher was so full of sh*t. Fortunately, our worries were dispelled over the immediate weekend when we went for a couplehood seminar that had some talk on parenting. Your behavior is classified as the strong will-ed child and we have good reasons to think you are one. Although you have problems looking directly at us when we talk and can't seem to take simple instructions, we realised that you actually hear us when we talk and know when to look at us (when you want something). Coincidentally, Daddy is on a 2 weeks break from work and with your grandparents on a holiday to Seoul, Korea, Daddy is on a mission to set things right.

Alfresco Dinning

But before Daddy can start on improving your mannerism, I gotta start to learn how to cook for you. Daddy is proud to improve his cooking ability from 1 dish (maggi mee) to 6 dishes (fried rice, mashed potatoes, porridge, pancake, bee hoon soup and maggi mee). Taking care of you by myself in the day for a straight 5 days was a first for Daddy and I'm proud to say that I had managed to survive through unscathed. Now back to our problem, the biting problem seems to be gone away and I kind of tried to fix a routine for you, getting you to eat, sleep and play at the right time with the right rules. It was difficult in the beginning, but you did showed improvement and even took the initiative to get the books when its time for your afternoon nap. Bathing and changing your nappies are no longer a struggle and getting you up and ready for school is now a breeze. But the biggest take away is that you now know when we are upset with you and you know it when you are in the wrong. Although you still enjoy slapping me in the face, you are more sincere with your apology (don't ask me how, I just know).

I guess this leads to the morale of the story, no matter who takes care of the kid, be it the grandparent, the teacher at the childcare center or the maid. Nothing beats having the parent to spend quality time with your child. A marked improvement was achieved in a week, can you imagine the difference a SAHM (stay at home mom) would make to the kid? (hint hint to Mummy.. :P) Daddy always though he was a great dad who spends quality time with you on weekends, but I guess when you are young and is still finding your feet in this world, quantity still outweighs the quality we share together.

Here's some pictures Daddy took 2 weeks ago when we visited the National Museum of Singapore (free) on the International Museum Day 2010 and the Rainforest Kidzworld @ the Zoo.

You never quite replicate your artwork from school, made me wonder if the picture was a fake?

Baywatch moment

As always, knocked out after another crazy day.

While Daddy is away

Disclaimer: This is a super-belated post that Mummy was suppose to fill in months ago when Daddy was away.  Along came a major career switch and it has been sitting in the "edit" list for the longest time.  Nonetheless, Mummy will still like to share this post as it marks some of the remarkable moments that still tickles me.

Hello Doctor!

Mei Mei fell sick just days before the school holidays.  For some reasons, she has been quite scared of visiting the Uncle GP, always attempting to escape before we make it through the clinic's entrance.

Let me out..

The 45mins of waiting time feels like hours, not because of anxiety but rather due to Mei Mei's hyperactive-ness in the clinic.    Sometimes I wonder why she can be so active even thou she is unwell. 

Preparing for seventeen

Gor Gors

As it's difficult to bring Mei Mei out when Edwin is away,  the best place to hang out is always my brother's place.  Mei Mei gets along really well with her 2 cousins now, a stark change ever since she turned 2. It's quite entertaining to see how they interact, everything just seems to funny.

Rehearsing "Yum Seng" for Uncle Sam's big day

Let's pretend 

Role play has a new found meaning for Mei Mei since she step into her 2nd year of growing.  In fact she wasn't really the typical girly type who likes to play her masak masak.  She is always more attune to "destructional" games like dismantling her kitchen set or toys and fixing it back.


Here's some of her "pretend" moments which was quite refreshing for me:


- Transforming the multi-purpose hairband into both a sunglass and belt

 




- Using her princess rattan chair as a stroller for Pinkie

 

Stickers galore

This has been the all-time hobby for Mei Mei since she was a baby.  I figure out that it's a good finger training exercise for her, and most importantly it can get her occupied for a long time while Mummy gets busy.  What I thought was quite interesting is that she has this thing about stacking the stickers (instead of spreading it out) by pasting it on top of each other.

En Xi The Terrible Toddler

Lately, we visited Bintan or a short weekend getaway at the Nirwana Resort Hotel. Not too bad a place and it was a well deserved break from our everyday routine. More importantly, I was our first trip as a family without the extended family. So, it was just you, me and Mummy. It was great fun as we indulged ourselves (you included) a great deal. From the thrill we had on the beach to the relaxing paddle in the pool to the fantastic seafood we had.

Anyway, today's update is about something that continues to bewilder both Mummy and me and is starting to be a cause for concern. While you are beginning to understand simple instructions and communicate your basic needs, you have quite a nasty temperament. Although, your favourite book and daily bedtime story is "Say Please, Louise", good mannerism is clearly not your cup of tea. Although, at time you will say please, you will say it in the most frustrating way possible with a hint of whining to the point of screaming and irritation. Something that goes "PPleeeeeaseee Argghhhhh!" Your "Thank you" when you eventually get what you wanted is in the softest manner possible and one that is never quite sincere and never said with the look into one's eyes. Daddy and Mummy have been inculcating good mannerism in you since day 1, but to no avail. We'll keep trying and hope that this is just part of the terrible 2.

Another daily event that simple drives us nuts is your refusal to bath and change diapers. In the past, when you refuse to bath or change nappy, Daddy would play some silly games with you, make you giggle and laugh till you forgot about having to clean yourself. Eventually, tricking you to the bathroom and getting the job done. Somehow, getting you to step near the bathroom has been tougher. The old tricks no longer work and to make matters worst, you don't even want to change into your pajamas. Sigh... I just hope that this is just one of your terrible 2 symptoms and hope that you will grow out of it soon.

You have a feisty character and it shows, all I can say is good luck to the man who marries you.

Nonetheless, Daddy and Mummy still love dearly and nothing beats seeing you with that ever so sweet, adorable and charming smile while you run towards us to give us a hug when we come home from work. And let's not forget that cheeky smile of yours.

CNY 2010 Outfits & Some Random Thoughts

Mummy is away on retail therapy in Hong Kong over the weekend. At the same time, Daddy is on a few days of off-in-lieu after the overseas assignment. It felt great to connect with you again. Doing the simple things together again. Stuff like to sending you to school and back. Bathing you while playing gardening in the toilet, teaching you how to brush your teeth and feed you. Doing flashcards together and reading your favourite story books. Play catch at 'Polliwogs' and blowing bubbles and throwing balls at the Botanic Gardens tomorrow. And if you are game for it, maybe a trip to the Zoo for the water themed park on the day after tomorrow. I got the whole weekend lined up. And the best thing to this deal is to be able to exercise my own way of coaching and taking care of you. No offense to Mummy, but she's kindda of uptight and jumps instantaneously on any level 1 situation, but that's because she cares a lot about you.

Anyway, I shared with a couple of my colleagues and friends about the stuff we were gonna do together. Like any alpha-male, I had stares from my guy friends like I had eye liner on, asking me why I actually enjoy doing stuff like that. And my answer will be why would you actually ask a bewildering question as this? There is no doubt in me that I enjoy doing the difficult things (feeding you) as much as the fun stuff (play in the park). The bond that we experience and that magical smile never fails to brighten my day.

Some updates on you.

You have grown much taller since I last saw you and I guess its timely to buy one of those height measurement wall paper to chart your progress. You are able to express yourself much better with a few simple words, but is still unable to form structured sentences. You are still very very difficult to feed and is an extremely picky eater. I'm still afraid to bring you to shopping malls as you hate holding hands and run about oblivious to dangers around you.

One last thing, we are visiting your best friend (currently) aka Charlene tomorrow. Before I forgot, Grandma thinks you bully most kids who are smaller than you and that includes your cousin, Julian. Bad Girl.

To be a better man

The highly anticipated Father Daughter Day (FDD) failed to materialise as Daddy was unexpectedly pulled back to work on every other day that was supposed to be an off day. So much for Work Life Balance... :( Somehow, work is not quite the same since Daddy scaled towards the supposing-ly greater things in his career. And like any garberment job, I can't quite rant about the hand that feeds me family.

Anyway, Daddy just came back from yet another overseas assignment and missed you dearly. Funny how 3 weeks seems like an eternity. As guilty as it may be, I kindda missed you more than Mummy. While this may not sound as a concern, it is important in my own humble opinion that the couple (in this your parents) must be the bedrock to this family. For a healthy family must begin with a couple with a healthy relationship. So for a start, you will always be second to Mummy.

Its funny how one changes him or herself as one grows up or ages.

Daddy remember himself as a rather rash and gutsy young man when he was in his early 20s. Often stepping on the toes of many and thinking that he is fulfilling the heaven's work as the global policeman. Kindda the ones in a martial arts drama serial set in the 1900s? Where there will always be a lead with suave looks and unbeatable skills who does nothing at all but being a busybody who pokes around everybody's business, while maintaining a lavish lifestyle without having to make a living and has plenty of $$ dropping out of the sky.

Then, Daddy met Mummy of course. Here, the responsibilities starts. You start thinking about the future, you make plans. I pretty much changed my outlook in many things in life. I certainly was much calmer in my approach to stuff. Another corny way to view this can be "Mummy was the 'ah lian' who manage to calm the 'ah beng' aka Daddy". You probably don't understand this when you read this, you need to read this, or alternatively maybe you can google for 'Young and Dangerous". You try to be a better person who thinks for the family and cares about the family. You want to be the person everyone can depend on.

Then, came you. If getting married made Daddy a more matured person, then having you made me want to be a better person. Allow me to explain, I possess many sins. I tear the tabs of the parking coupon and sheepishly ditch the torn off tabs on the floors of the carpark. I swear as if its part of the language we speak. I drop filthy tissue papers on the ground in the public when no one is looking and the list goes on and on. But all was to change one Monday at Six when En Xi arrived in my world. School can't teach values and the ways of life. The only person(s) who can do that is me and Mummy. That is why Daddy doesn't want to disappoint you and want to be the role model that every kid wishes for.

Wish me luck.

iPhone moments

We are feeling quite guilty for not actively updating our blog.  And it's really frustrating that we are losing track of the milestones of En Xi whenever we try to start a new posting.  For me, the invention of iPhone is definitely a godsend to me! I'm quite disturbed by the tecnicalities of DSLR (I still have problems grapsing how aperture works!!) and the fact that I couldn't shoot as well as Edwin. All Apple inventions, starting from the simplicities I have experienced with Mac to my iPhone, it's what every working parent need to make the simple pleasures of documenting their little tikes so much more convenient.

Here's what our little girl has been up to recently:

1-2-3, Cheee-Cha!

She is more "camera-sensitive" now, are more open to posing for us.  Thou it's still extremely challenging to take a still shot of her, but she does have her posey moments when she is a good mood.

This is what she likes to do on her way to school - singing, dancing...and 

hidding behind the pillar pretending to play peek-a-boo.

 

The Spring/Summer Kids Collection 2010 - Just wear pink

Will the real green Shady please stand up?

Her new-found accessories is this green shades that she got from her Xmas pressies. The problem is ; En Xi has an extremely flat nose bridge, which makes it difficult to support anything on it.  But seems like she has found a solution to address this problem - simply turning the shades upside down!

Mirror Mirror on the wall

She's into self obsession or is it talking to the infamous "secret friend" in the mirror? Clearly, she is beginning to develop Mummy's traits of being magnetized by any form of reflection she sees,  and it amuses her to see herself making different expressions in the mirror.

Hey you in there, what's with the obiang color shades?  

Guitar Heroine  

Ah Ma just got a new toy for her recently - the pink electrico toy guitar.  She has included that in her entourage of favorite things, carrying this with her wherever she is...even when she is watching the TV, she makes sure that it doesn't leave her side.

 Personalizing her guitar with her Dora stickies

I love to behave..only in school

Surprisingly, En Xi turns out to be pretty well-behaved kid in school. I was appalled by how obedient she can be to her teacher's instructions, but a total opposite when she's at home.  Recently she hasn't been co-operating well with me in Shichida classes, but as soon as the teacher came along, she instantly transforms into the angel who does exactly what the teacher need her to...what a chameleon!

Teacher Risa rewarding En Xi with a "Well-behaved Sticker" at the end of the class.

Meanwhile, Daddy is away again on an jungle expedition to Thailand,  stay tune for more "exciting" adventures with me, myself and En Xi!